Insider shares how Colts’ Anthony Richardson has improved from rookie 12 months

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson made simply 4 begins as a rookie final season earlier than he was sidelined with a campaign-ending shoulder damage.

For a bit revealed Sunday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports activities Illustrated famous how Richardson has improved from the place he was in his growth roughly 12 months in the past.

“Richardson’s progress has been fairly important on the psychological facet—which is what you’d hope for given the steep studying curve he confronted coming from Florida final 12 months,” Breer defined. “Specifically, the coaches have regarded for him to make strides in communication and command on the line, they usually’ve been inventive in drilling that residence by having longer walkthroughs within the early evenings with numerous snaps baked in.”

Richardson recorded simply 13 faculty begins whereas with the Florida Gators however was named Indianapolis’ Week 1 starter final September. He was then shaken up throughout his NFL regular-season debut earlier than he suffered a concussion in Week 2.

Regardless of the bodily setbacks that Richardson endured as a first-year professional, Colts head coach Shane Steichen and crew proprietor Jim Irsay have insisted this summer season they do not wish to restrict how usually the 22-year-old appears to make performs along with his legs.

“It’s accelerated the place Richardson is in his growth, for positive, and one space the place it’s actually exhibiting in his skill to make checks on the line,” Breer added. “He wants to remain wholesome, after all, however there’s loads of purpose to be enthusiastic about the place the fourth choose within the 2023 draft is in how he’s taking possession of the offense.”

Richardson largely stays an unknown product as a professional contemplating he tried solely 84 regular-season passes earlier than the shoulder drawback made him a spectator. Breer mentioned on Sunday that the Colts “really feel actually good about the place they’re and the shot they must catch” the reigning division champion Houston Texans within the AFC South race, however Indianapolis will want Richardson to make quite a lot of highlight-reel performs to compete for a postseason berth.

As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Richardson fourth among the many betting favorites at +600 odds to assert the Comeback Participant of the Yr Award for the upcoming season.